National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 1989

A well-meaning but hapless patriarch (Randy Quaid) and his frazzled clan (Miriam Flynn, Dana Barron) find themselves stranded on a tropical isle, struggling to stay afloat amidst chaos, misadventures, and the unpredictable forces of nature.

A well-meaning but hapless patriarch (Randy Quaid) and his frazzled clan (Miriam Flynn, Dana Barron) find themselves stranded on a tropical isle, struggling to stay afloat amidst chaos, misadventures, and the unpredictable forces of nature.

Does National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation have end credit scenes?

No!

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

Explore the complete cast of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

See how National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

49

Metascore

7.7

User Score

TMDB

72

%

User Score

Take the Ultimate National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Quiz: Test your knowledge of the classic holiday movie National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.

What is Clark Griswold determined to create for Christmas?

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

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Read the complete plot summary of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


In this heartwarming yet chaotic holiday adventure, Clark Griswold, portrayed by Chevy Chase, is determined to craft an unforgettable Christmas for his beloved family, which includes his wife Ellen and their children Audrey and Rusty. Clark sets off on a picturesque journey into the countryside to find the perfect Christmas tree, ultimately choosing the largest one available. His enthusiasm leads him to uproot the tree, entirely overlooking the challenges of getting it home.

While navigating the bustling mall, Clark finds himself enchanted by a beautiful cashier, compelling him to weave a web of lies in an attempt to charm her. Meanwhile, his festive plans trigger a series of mishaps for their yuppie neighbors, Todd and Margo Chester. The arrival of both Clark’s and Ellen’s parents brings more tension as they start bickering, adding to the family’s stress, but Clark remains resolute in his pursuit to make this Christmas special.

In a dazzling celebration of holiday spirit, Clark decorates the exterior of their home with an eye-popping 25,000 twinkling lights, inadvertently plunging the entire neighborhood into darkness upon their activation. The situation escalates further as Ellen’s cousin Catherine and her husband Eddie unexpectedly arrive with their lively children, Rocky and Ruby Sue, along with their pet Rottweiler, Snots. Eddie’s misfortune leads him to rely on Clark’s generosity, prompting Clark to buy gifts for the children to ensure their Christmas is joyful.

As the evening unfolds, the Griswold household welcomes the quirky antics of Clark’s Aunt Bethany and Uncle Lewis, contributing to the comedic chaos of the holiday celebrations. Clark’s irritation grows as he awaits a promised Christmas bonus from his boss, Frank Shirley. Following a disastrous Christmas Eve dinner, which culminates in Aunt Bethany’s cat meeting an unfortunate end and Uncle Lewis incinerating their beautifully adorned tree, Clark receives a shocking package containing a subscription to the Jelly of the Month Club instead of the much-needed bonus.

In a moment of frustration, Clark wishes for Frank to appear so he can voice his grievances, only for Eddie to take his words literally, leading to a wild encounter that culminates in the reinstatement of the Christmas bonuses. Meanwhile, a SWAT team arrives in response to the escalating chaos, but Frank ultimately opts not to pursue charges, revealing a change of heart regarding the bonuses.

As they gather outdoors, the excitement peaks when Rocky and Ruby Sue believe they’ve spotted Santa Claus. Clark lovingly corrects them, explaining that the glowing light is actually the Christmas Star, igniting a newfound appreciation for the holiday’s true meaning. Uncle Lewis, with his characteristic skepticism, humorously points out that the light is from a sewage treatment plant, which recalls Eddie’s questionable RV activities. The night takes yet another outrageous turn as a careless cigar spark causes a spectacular explosion, launching a Santa decoration skyward.

As the chaos subsides, Clark and Ellen share a heartfelt kiss, satisfied that despite the mayhem, they’ve crafted an undeniably memorable holiday for their family. The night concludes with everyone inside, united in the warmth and joy of their shared experiences, surrounded by love and laughter.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Theatrical Trailer

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


christmasholidaychristmas gatheringchristmas treechristmas movienational lampoon seriessequelsquirrelpantyhosefamily relationshipscatskinny dippingsexual fantasyconcealed nuditychristmas shoppingchristmas seasonchainsawbossfantasy sequencechristmas tree firesquirrel in a houseswat teamvacationslapstick comedywinterwatching a home moviechristmas comedyelectrocuteamerican culturexmas treechristmas bonuschristmas evefamily dinnerreciting the pledge of allegiencerottweilerchristmas with familylocked in an atticelectrocutionfamily gatheringdysfunctional familychristmas lights1980sripped pantyhosepantiesred swimsuitnext door neighborfamily vacationapple macintosh computersaleswomanshopping mall

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